Vienna’s Klima Biennale Returns with “Unspeakable Worlds” Theme
Vienna will once again host the Klima Biennale Wien, an interdisciplinary festival exploring the intersection of art, climate, and society, from April 9 to May 10, 2026. This year’s edition, titled “Unspeakable Worlds,” addresses the complexities of contemporary realities that often defy easy articulation.
The festival, initiated by the City of Vienna and organized by KunstHausWien, will feature a diverse program spread across the city, with a concentrated focus on Karlsplatz. For four weeks, the square will serve as a stage for artistic interventions and events, alongside the festival headquarters at KunstHausWien and contributions from over 50 partner institutions throughout the city.
According to Stadtrat für Klima, Umwelt, Demokratie und Personal Jürgen Czernohorszky, “Climate policy is always also generational policy. It is our democratic responsibility to represent not only the interests of today’s eligible voters, but also to consider those of future generations.” He added that the Klima Biennale Wien creates public spaces to make visible what is at stake and encourages responsibility beyond the present moment.
Stadträtin für Kultur und Wissenschaft Veronica Kaup-Hasler emphasized the role of art in navigating these challenging times. “Times of growing uncertainty demand that we make unpopular questions and challenges – above all, the climate crisis – comprehensible and experience them beyond classical scientific formats,” she stated. “Art has a central task: it sharpens the view of the present and develops perspectives for a sustainable tomorrow for all. It is therefore more important than ever that the Klima Biennale Wien can take place as an interdisciplinary festival at the interface of art, and science.”
KunstHausWien to Showcase “Seeds” and “I Wish We Had More Time”
KunstHausWien will present two exhibitions as part of the Biennale. The first, “Seeds. Reclaiming Roots, Sowing Futures,” explores the multifaceted meanings of seeds and their connection to our relationship with the Earth and each other. The group exhibition features work by 14 artists – including Ackroyd & Harvey, Maria Thereza Alves, and Cecilia Vicuña – examining themes of migration, colonialism, indigenous knowledge, biodiversity, and resistance.
The project space Garage will host “I Wish We Had More Time” by The Institute of Queer Ecology, an on-site exhibition exploring the meanings of loss through art, music, literature, and science. The exhibition focuses on disrupted symbiosis in nature, breaks in queer history caused by crises like the AIDS epidemic, and interpersonal losses.
the KunstHausWien will undergo a scenographic transformation created by Jascha & Franz, in collaboration with Austrian writer Andrea Grill, with their texts forming the basis for the spatial narrative.
Gerlinde Riedl, Director of KunstHausWien, stated, “The fact that the Klima Biennale Wien originates from KunstHausWien is no coincidence. As the first green museum, we understand sustainability as an attitude – in the content as well as in the spaces we open up. The festival arises from collaboration and the conviction that the future must be shaped together. It invites you to experience contemporary art in an accessible and inclusive way and to discover new perspectives. Because change begins where we are willing to look. We are pleased to host the Klima Biennale Wien 2026 again!”
Transforming Public Space with Art and Activism
The Biennale will extend beyond traditional gallery spaces, utilizing the urban landscape as a canvas for artistic expression. Under the title “(No) Funny Games,” artists will create site-specific works that explore the tension between idyllic imagery and dystopian realities, bringing the climate crisis directly into the public sphere.
Karlsplatz will be a central hub for these interventions, including a re-staging of Margot Pilz’s iconic 1982 “Kaorle am Karlsplatz” action, bringing a touch of Italian beach life to Vienna as a climate-critical commentary. The program will also feature contributions from institutions like the TU Wien and the Vienna State Opera.
Ten artistic positions will be displayed on building walls, bridges, and billboards, eight of which are newly created for the Biennale. Artists involved include River Claure, Eva Seiler, and Zheng Mahler. Projects are being co-curated with KÖR (Kunst im öffentlichen Raum Wien), the MuseumsQuartier Wien, museum in progress, and Calle Libre.
Festivalleitung Klima Biennale Wien, Sithara Pathirana, noted, “The current global dynamic of political eruptions and escalating climate catastrophes leaves many of us speechless. All the more urgent is the search for a new language – and for expanded spaces of understanding.” She added that addressing the climate crisis requires solidarity and recognizing the interconnectedness of life, and that the Biennale is a movement that asks questions, opens spaces for visions, and uses art as a tool for transformation.
Collaboration and a Focus on the Next Generation
The Klima Biennale Wien emphasizes collaboration, partnering with organizations like Biofabrique Vienna, Brunnenpassage, and the Vienna Design Week. The Wirtschaftsagentur Wien will present ten winning projects from “Creatives for Vienna – Making Spaces,” showcasing innovative ideas for a more sustainable urban environment.
The Biennale will also feature Immediate Matters, an exhibition project returning in an expanded form, showcasing work from ten independent art spaces addressing urgent ecological and social issues. A focus will be placed on engaging the next generation, with projects designed to involve children and young people in shaping the future of the planet.
Stefan Gara, Klimasprecher of the NEOS Wien, views the Biennale as “a powerful signal from the city of how multifaceted the discussion of the climate crisis is – and what concrete steps are necessary to achieve our goals.”
